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Port Adelaide grieves for McCarthy

Ashley Porter, Adelaide

The memorial service for John McCarthy at Alberton Oval. Photo: Getty Images

IT WAS closure for the McCarthy family, and the beginning of the grieving process, but the death of John McCarthy will also be felt for a long time by the parents of those who joined him on that fateful trip to Las Vegas.

Among the 11 players was Brett Ebert, and today his father, Russell Ebert, a record four-time Magarey Medallist, revealed the anguish all of the families endured that morning of September 10.

As an employee of the club, he knew at 9.30am that one of the 11 had died. But not which one. It was not until 11am that they knew it was McCarthy.

Vale John McCarthy

Ebert, 63, assisted in handing out memorial sheets, and at the request of the family, McCarthy badges, to the 1500 people who attended a memorial service at Alberton, followed by a live telecast from the family service at Sorrento.

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Ebert described those 90 minutes as the worst in his life, and that of his wife, Dianne. "It was horrific for all of the parents, especially the McCarthy family," he said. "A lot of things went through my mind, and obviously through others.

"This is an incredibly sad day for our club, as it was for Anthony Williams [former player and twin brother of Mark, who died in 1988 from a building accident].

"I have been to services for past players and members here and celebrated their life, but here we are for John, a current player at just 22. It is just not right.

"John embraced all ages. He and Dani [McCarthy's partner] loved this place, and now he's gone."

The Alberton service was conducted by the Reverend Brandon Chaplin, who has been Port's chaplain since its AFL beginning in 1997.

He spoke of sadness, memories, and the celebration of a life. "We thank God for John and the impact he had on this club in such a short time," he said.

That impact was indeed profound, and measured by those left behind to mourn. Among them at Alberton was Chad Cornes, who left the club to join Greater Western Sydney before McCarthy arrived from Collingwood.

Everyone was close to McCarthy, but among his teammates probably no one more than Brad Ebert, Russell's nephew. He delivered a moving tribute to "J-Mac" in a video on behalf of the players, saying: "He always had a smile on his face and was amazing to be around.

"When it came to football he was so desperate to succeed, and so desperate for this club to improve. He really respected everyone."

Club deputy chairman Kevin Osborn struggled to hold back tears as he described McCarthy as a special person, a warrior, No. 35.

The shrine put together at the social club entrance at Alberton by many fans will probably stay there for a few days. The pain will be felt within when the football department officially crosses off the name McCarthy on Port's player list, and possibly asks the AFL for special dispensation, like Melbourne did for Troy Broadbridge, who perished in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

It will be tough for the McCarthy family; the sadness will be felt forever. It will, however, be shared among the parents of those 10 other players who, too, thought they had lost a son.